Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp (TNDC)

"Up" is the number of experts who agree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in the
field. "Down" is the number of experts who disagree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in field.

Headquarters Location:
San Francisco, CA
Founded:
1981

Mission:
TNDC's mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with support services for low-income people in the Tenderloin community and be a leader in making the neighborhood a better place to live.

Story:
This story is about Sharon Ray, a resident at TNDC's Franciscan Towers:

At TNDC's Franciscan Towers, you are likely to see Sharon Ray's smiling face welcoming visitors as they pass by. A well-known and loved fixture of the building's…
Read the full story.

Expert Reviews: Evidence of Impact

29 years later, TNDC has a housing portfolio of 30 houses in San Francisco, that houses >3,500 people, many who have had histories of homelessness. They are building 653 units affordable housing soon, of which 68% will be reserved for the formerly homeless. They engage tenants in neighborhood issues and help tenants access healthcare, food, childcare, safety, rental assistance programs.
See the complete expert review.

Leadership

Donald Falk.
Donald Falk began his tenure as Executive Director in October of 2005. Previously, he was TNDC’s longtime Director of Housing Development for 11 years. He played a principal role in guiding the organization through a period of profound growth as our portfolio of properties increased from nine to 23 buildings. Prior to TNDC, Don worked for 12 years at Jubilee…
See full bio.

Transparency Information

This organization has earned the GuideStar Participation Level Silver, demonstrating its commitment to transparency
(learn more)

Story:
This story is about Sharon Ray, a resident at TNDC's Franciscan Towers:

At TNDC's Franciscan Towers, you are likely to see Sharon Ray's smiling face welcoming visitors as they pass by. A well-known and loved fixture of the building's resident population, her cheery countenance brightens up the day for TNDC employees who stop by for a visit.

Sharon loves living in Franciscan Towers and it shows on her face. But she hasn't always had a home to love.

In Los Angeles in the mid-sixties, even though Sharon didn't have a place to sleep, she didn't consider herself homeless. "We called it 'hanging out,'" she explained. "We slept at a church." But soon, homelessness became a real problem for Sharon, as the scary reality of trying to survive without a roof over her head began to sink in.

After LA, Sharon spent some time in Las Vegas where she had three children, but decided to put them in foster care because she "didn't want them homeless like myself." However, Sharon's love for her children was the catalyst for her to stop drinking and using drugs over 30 years ago. "I looked at my daughter and made a promise not to drink anymore. I was trying to better myself."

Sharon came to San Francisco in September 1986. Sharon recalls that first day in SF, where fate led her to the corner of Jones and Market. It was there that she was told about the St. Anthony's Women's Shelter and found herself given the last remaining free bed of the evening.

Throughout the years, Sharon stayed mostly at the St. Anthony's Womens' shelter, but also slept on friends' couches, had short stints in SRO hotels, and, for a short period of time, went home to Dayton, Ohio, to care for her father who had a stroke. When Sharon returned to San Francisco in 2001, she was once again homeless, but still managed to earn her GED. Sharon said her father always wanted her to get her diploma, but in the end "I did it for me, because I had wanted to accomplish something for myself." Sharon fondly remembers receiving her GED as a "proud moment."

Sharon moved into TNDC's Franciscan Towers in 2006 after a case manager from the St. Anthony's Womens' Shelter helped her apply for a Shelter Plus Care subsidy. Shelter Plus Care provides homes to low-income individuals who are chronically homeless. Tenants with a Shelter Plus Care subsidy pay 30% of their monthly income towards rent, regardless of income amount. The remaining rent balance is paid by the Shelter Plus Care Program.

When Sharon first saw her new home at the Franciscan Towers, she recalls seeing the large refrigerator and stove and was excited "to make cornbread in my own kitchen." Sharon also says the staff and other tenants are "sweet" and enjoys volunteering weekly for the Towers' San Francisco Food Bank produce drop donations. Sharon is also an avid BINGO fan and attends these community events organized by the on-site TNDC social worker, Liz Degaldillo.

When Sharon looks back on her years of homelessness, she recalls it as being "rough for a woman. Men. Everybody tries to take advantage of you. It's not a place you want to be." And now that Sharon is indoors, especially during the rain, she is "glad, but I feel bad for the people who are out there. We need more low-income housing."

"What is the best part about living at the Franciscan Towers?" I asked Sharon. She looks down at her feet and starts to grin. She is tracing the outline of her key with her finger. "People don't have to buzz me in anymore." (Source: http://www.tndc.org/wp-content/uploads/August10.pdf)

Expert Reviews of
Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp (TNDC)

Evidence of Impact Summary:

29 years later, TNDC has a housing portfolio of 30 houses in San Francisco, that houses >3,500 people, many who have had histories of homelessness. They are building 653 units affordable housing soon, of which 68% will be reserved for the formerly homeless. They engage tenants in neighborhood issues and help tenants access healthcare, food, childcare, safety, rental assistance programs.

Organization Strengths Summary:

Bay Area Homelessness experts believe that the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation is an outstanding provider of decent housing to low-income people. Because of their strong leadership and Board, they have been able to fundraise effectively and help a large number of community members.
See expert comments.

Areas for Improvement Summary:

At the same time, in order to serve an even larger base, the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation could expand the quantity and quality of their housing portfolio. They might also consider surveying their tenants to be sure they are serving them in the best way.
See expert comments.

Expert Comments: Organization Strengths

Select the boxes to display the results according to expert type.

Show:

X

Foundation Professionals (F)

X

Researchers and Faculty (R)

X

Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)

X

Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)

Good Leadership

F

This is an outstanding organization because of its focus on permanent housing, excellent leadership, and strong work and partnerships.

F

They have a great Executive Director and staff; combining bricks-and-mortar expertise with community services.

N

This is a strong performing organization with a dedicated, effective staff.

N

They are mission focused, tenant driven, well run, and collaborative.

N

They have a good and committed board, and they have been able to do good fundraising.

N

They have excellent leadership--very competent and thoughtful, willing to take risks.

Outstanding Housing Provider

F

They have a diversified funding base, a permanent housing focus, and a clear focus on folks of under 50% AMI (unlike most housing developers).

N

In the heart of one of the most challenging neighborhoods in the region, TNDC is developing effective housing and programs targeting the un-housed and working poor with compassion and strong management principles.

N

It creates affordable housing for low income people, a huge need in our area.

N

They are an outstanding provider of decent housing which is affordable to very poor people.

N

They have a large portfolio of housing.

N

They provide housing and supportive services which is critical.

N

They provide lots of accessible housing.

N

They provide quality and caring services to a very difficult population.

N

TNDC is a leading example of strong development efforts combined with strong client advocacy and services.

Good Results

N

They have long standing performance in creating housing opportunities coupled with services.

O

They are effective in ending homelessness.

Population Served

N

TNDC provides housing for two important displaced groups, the aged and youth.

Other

Leadership

Donald Falk
Executive Director

Donald Falk began his tenure as Executive Director in October of 2005. Previously, he was TNDC’s longtime Director of Housing Development for 11 years. He played a principal role in guiding the organization through a period of profound growth as our portfolio of properties increased from nine to 23 buildings. Prior to TNDC, Don worked for 12 years at Jubilee West, a nonprofit housing organization based in West Oakland. Among his roles there were Interim Co-Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Director of Housing Development. Don’s credentials also include a Masters in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley and a BA with honors in Economics and Urban Studies from Oberlin College, OH. Don served for seven years on the Board of Directors of the Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California and is currently a member of the Enterprise Network Advisory Board and the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association Housing Policy Task Force.

From the Nonprofit

Donald Falk
Executive Director
Oct 27, 2010

Two generations of generous donors, who have supported TNDC for many years, have offered to match, dollar for dollar, each and every gift we receive from you... up to $35,000!

This inspiring challenge match will enable you to double the impact of your gift and provide a much-needed infusion of $70,000 for TNDC and our vital services. The timing is critical... government support for services to the poor is shrinking, even as the demand for help grows.

Make your gift today!

With your help, we can continue with our successful model that provides safe housing and essential neighborhood services. Gradually but steadily, we are transforming San Francisco and the lives of our residents, thanks to the support of generous people like you.

Philanthropedia is a division of GuideStar, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Through independent research, Philanthropedia has leveraged the wisdom of 3128 experts to provide reviews on 783 top nonprofits across 48 causes.